Interior designer Minnie Bhatt on what it takes to design sentient spaces

Every space has a story, but only a few have a soul. And this is what sets apart the spaces created by interior designer Minnie Bhatt from the rest. 

Minnie Bhatt, Founder and Design Director at Minnie Bhatt Design, has carved a niche for herself in the world of interior design with her ability to create soulful, sentient spaces with the confluence of elements such as location, colour, lighting, ventilation and decor. 

Bhatt’s design philosophy is to create timeless spaces with eclectic/minimalist designs, blending the classic with the contemporary. 

For over two decades, the Mumbai-based designer has been at the helm of some of the most aesthetic spaces in the country–from the residences of celebrities and industrialists such as Ronnie Screwvala and B K Modi to iconic restaurants such as Burma Burma, Ishaara, and La Poz. 

She recently hit a milestone with her 100th project, encompassing two ventures–Butter in Pune and Burma Burma in Bengaluru’s REX Mall. This project showcases her ability to create unique spaces that are in harmony with nature and incorporate sustainable elements. 

In a freewheeling chat with YS Life, Bhatt talks about her journey in interior design, her design philosophy, and what it takes to build an Instagrammable restaurant. 

The beginning

Bhatt has always had a creative streak. So, after completing a degree in commerce at HR College, Mumbai, she enrolled in an interior designing course at Sophia Polytechnic on the insistence of a close friend. As part of this course, she interned at Fine Line Designers to gain practical experience, and, since then, there’s been no looking back. 

“It was an invaluable opportunity and I grabbed it with both hands,” says Bhatt. 

Her assignment during this period was a residential project in Walkeshwar, Mumbai. 

“It was an eye-opening experience as I spent the entire day on-site, managing labour and immersing myself in every detail of the project. I was fortunate to have mentors who guided me and taught me the intricacies of the field,” she recalls. 

This internship turned into a four-year stint at Fine Line Designers, which laid the foundation for a successful career in design. It is here that she gained knowledge of materials, space planning, and much more. 

Thereafter, Bhatt was associated with a few architects on residential projects in Mumbai.

She also took up a few assignments independently before establishing Minnie Bhatt Design in 2009.

Designing distinctive spaces 

Bhatt’s design philosophy has helped her create several striking residential and commercial projects in India and overseas. 

Her approach begins with understanding the brand’s positioning, whether it’s a fine dining space, a café, or something else. Next, she delves deep into the target audience the client wants to attract and the experience they aim to provide. 

Is the focus on the food or the bar? Is the desired ambience finished or rustic? These are crucial aspects that Bhatt tries to understand. Thereafter, her intuition and creativity come into play as she conceptualises the design. 

“Once the concept is established, my team takes it forward to execute the project with precision and attention to detail. This combination of authenticity, versatility and a collaborative approach is what I think makes me unique,” she shares. 

Her approach to design involves utilising pure materials such as wood veneer and actual brick, instead of laminate and imitations. The designer believes in incorporating myriad natural materials to infuse warmth and authenticity in her designs. 

For instance, stone is used for a rustic feel, while luxe marble or a combination of Italian marble and gold or brass accents is utilised to add a touch of elegance.

In today's social media-driven era, Bhatt admits there’s immense pressure to design properties and restaurants that are considered “Instagrammable”. However, she believes in approaching this trend with caution. Instead of creating dedicated social media walls, where people take photos, she strives to integrate visually appealing elements throughout the design. 

“When it comes to my style, I would describe it as eclectic yet versatile. I enjoy exploring a range of styles from minimalistic to maximalist and everything in between. Each project presents a new opportunity to embrace a unique aesthetic,” she says.

Pushing creative boundaries

While Bhatt is passionate about every project, a few of them have stayed with her, long after their completion. 

She reveals her soft spot for Mumbai’s Silver Beach Café–her first café design in 2013. Her friend’s boyfriend was looking to start his own café, but he was unhappy with his designer. That’s when Bhatt stepped in to assist. Little did she know that this opportunity would pave the way for more restaurant projects in the future. 

Another project that stands out for her is Fable Café and Bar in Mumbai’s posh suburb of Juhu. The final result was perfectly aligned with Bhatt’s initial vision, thus making the project a fulfilling experience for her. 

True Tramm Trunk, a quirky bar in Mumbai, was also an incredibly exciting project for the interior designer.  

“The name itself, a whimsical play on being intoxicated, served as inspiration for the design. We aimed to create a space that simulated the perspective of someone under the influence, incorporating random design elements and wireframes to create a surreal and visually captivating environment,” she explains. 

All the Burma Burma projects are equally special to her. The designer has been instrumental in shaping the brand’s aesthetic language, right from its launch. 

With Ishaara in Mumbai, Bhatt has created an oasis-like ambience. 

Each of these projects has contributed to Bhatt’s growth as a designer. 

One of the most challenging assignments for her was PCO, a speakeasy bar in Lower Parel, Mumbai. The space presented unique obstacles as it was an outdoor area with a rocky wall and two small structures within it. 

“The challenge was to create a kitchen space, a bar, and a private dining room, while thinking outside the box to meet the client's requirements. It required careful space planning and innovative solutions to ensure a smooth flow and cohesive design despite the constraints,” Bhatt elaborates. 

Sustainable spaces

Post pandemic, sustainability has become a critical element of buildings, particularly residential spaces. People are increasingly seeking designs that prioritise their well-being and consider the environmental impact of their choices. 

Bhatt has been at the forefront of this transformation, incorporating natural materials such as wood and cane, which are renewable and leave a lower carbon footprint compared to synthetic alternatives. She also makes conscious efforts to incorporate natural terracotta, bamboo, and cane wherever possible. 

Projects in the pipeline

The designer has her hands full with several exciting projects for Bellona Hospitality, in collaboration with Prashant Issar (COO of Bellona Hospitality) and Atul Ruia (Chairman at Phoenix Mills). She also has food and beverage projects lined up at Phoenix Mall in Mumbai, a hotel project in Aurangabad, and holiday homes for Isprava in Goa. 

A particularly interesting assignment involves designing a private villa cum event space by the serene backwaters of Kerala. 

“These upcoming ventures promise to be diverse and captivating, fuelling our passion for creating remarkable spaces,” concludes Bhatt.